Tuzla Canton doctors launch general strike over pay and brain drain

Speaking at a press conference, the Union President, Professor Elvira Konjic, stated that the government pushed physicians into the strike. A meeting on 11 May yielded no results, and the union subsequently rejected a non-binding protocol proposal, labelling it a political tactic to stall negotiations ahead of the election campaign beginning in four months.

Doctors emphasized they are striking to preserve the public healthcare system. Doctor Irfan Malkic revealed that the cantonal government broke a 2024 promise to adjust a collective agreement annex. He noted that authorities saved millions while Tuzla Canton doctors remained among the lowest paid in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, earning up to 30 per cent less than colleagues in other cantons despite heavy administrative burdens. The union is demanding coefficient equalization and formal negotiation recognition.

Doctor Mirsad Sljivic, President of the Union Assembly, warned of severe staff migration to Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Sarajevo, and the private sector due to superior conditions. He stressed that losing specialists is a critical blow to UKC Tuzla, warning that the public healthcare system could soon exist only on paper with no staff left to provide care.

The union concluded that the strike, currently operating in a milder form with minimal service disruptions, could escalate if the government refuses to urgently sign the binding agreement annex.